It is a fact of life that not every project succeeds. Sometimes the market changes and the product is no longer viable. Sometimes the budget or time constraints are untenable. Sometimes it is simply a case that somebody has made a mistake.
How do you deal with the failure of your project?
1.Identify causes, not people
It may be the case that your boss has been unsupportive from the start, or that your customers have changed their minds once too often, or that your staff are undermotivated. Nevertheless, if you start blaming people (”It was Jimmy’s fault”) rather than causes (”The unrealistic alterations that we promised the customer”).
Identifying causes rather than people will also rescue you from the trap of self-blame. When a project fails, it might be the responsibility of the Project Manager, but it is not the Project Manager’s fault. By understanding that your decision to allow your staff to miss a crucial deadline (and not you yourself) caused project failure, you be better able to learn the lessons of the failure.
2.Apologise
If the project is your responsibility, then it is up to you to apologise to those who have invested their time, money and energy into the project.
You may feel that others owe you an obligation, but being Project Manager is not about owing and demanding apologies. It is about taking professional responsibility for actions and results.
For the same reasons, do not over-apologise. State the causes for project failure, if appropriate, and offer sincere apologies for the disappointment. Do not lay blame, but do not grovel either. Your investors will respect you more for it.
3.Learn from the failure
There are lessons to be drawn from every project, but especially from those that fail. This is all part of identifying the causes of failure. Recognising why a project fails helps you to avoid failure the next time around. Sharing the lessons with others on the team shows people that failures is not an end but a process.
4. Move on
If identifying the causes of the failure is the most important thing you do, then moving on is a close second. You must be able to put this project behind you and engage with the next. Moving on to the next project will show your team and your managers that you have resilience, energy and dedication to your job.
Identifying causes, apologising, learning and moving on turn project failure into a fruitful process that can provide material for the growth of the project team and the project manager.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Construction Risks Analysis and Management
Analyze and manage risks in construction is very important for project management. This help to avoid or limit risks in construction projects.
The construction risks can be broadly grouped under the following categories:
Technical Risks
* Incomplete design.
* Inadequate site investigation.
* Uncertainty over the source and availability of materials.
* Appropriateness of specifications.
Logistical Risks
* Availability of resources - particularly construction equipments, spare parts, fuel and labor.
* Availability of sufficient transportation facilities.
Construction Risks
* Uncertain productivity of resources.
* Weather and seasonal implications.
* Industrial relations problems.
Financial Risks
* Inflation.
* Availability and fluctuation in foreign exchange.
* Delay in Payment.
* Repatriation of funds.
* Local taxes.
Political Risks
* Constraints on the availability and employment of expatriate staff.
* Customs and import restrictions and procedures.
* Difficulties in disposing of plant and equipment.
* Insistence on use of local firms and agents.
The construction risks can be broadly grouped under the following categories:
Technical Risks
* Incomplete design.
* Inadequate site investigation.
* Uncertainty over the source and availability of materials.
* Appropriateness of specifications.
Logistical Risks
* Availability of resources - particularly construction equipments, spare parts, fuel and labor.
* Availability of sufficient transportation facilities.
Construction Risks
* Uncertain productivity of resources.
* Weather and seasonal implications.
* Industrial relations problems.
Financial Risks
* Inflation.
* Availability and fluctuation in foreign exchange.
* Delay in Payment.
* Repatriation of funds.
* Local taxes.
Political Risks
* Constraints on the availability and employment of expatriate staff.
* Customs and import restrictions and procedures.
* Difficulties in disposing of plant and equipment.
* Insistence on use of local firms and agents.
Risk Management
Risk is inherent in any activity: All decisions or actions may result in unwanted consequences. Thus the proper thing to do is always to consider risk and to make use of the information gained in the decision process.
Risk Management Process
Risk management is basically a managerial tool to support the decision maker.
The initial step in the process is to express the decision maker’s goals and risk policy in a set of operational risk acceptance criteria.
Through a systematic analysis based on available and achievable information all major hazards of the planned activity shall be identified and the magnitude of the risk assessed. According to the nature of the problem, more or less detailed and sophisticated risk identification and analysis methodologies may be applied.
Subsequently the acceptability of the risk shall be evaluated by comparison to the acceptance criteria.
In case the risk level is found to be unacceptable it must be decided how the risk shall be reduced. Risk mitigation may be accomplished either by altering the activity or by implementing additional safety measures. When several alternatives are possible the choice may be supported by decision analysis.
Advantages of Risk Management
It is the experience, that implementation of risk management will result in profitable decisions and improved allocation of resources.
Risk management will lead to decisions close to the decision maker’s goals.
Risk management ensures consistence and transparency in the decision process and it provides a basis for risk communication.
Risk Management Tools
The tools and information available to the risk management process include a wide variety of quantitative and semi-quantitative methods.
Results of risk management
• Profitable decisions
• Improved allocation of re-sources
• Implementation of company policy
• Consistent and transparent decisions
• Basis for risk communication
Risk Management Process
Risk management is basically a managerial tool to support the decision maker.
The initial step in the process is to express the decision maker’s goals and risk policy in a set of operational risk acceptance criteria.
Through a systematic analysis based on available and achievable information all major hazards of the planned activity shall be identified and the magnitude of the risk assessed. According to the nature of the problem, more or less detailed and sophisticated risk identification and analysis methodologies may be applied.
Subsequently the acceptability of the risk shall be evaluated by comparison to the acceptance criteria.
In case the risk level is found to be unacceptable it must be decided how the risk shall be reduced. Risk mitigation may be accomplished either by altering the activity or by implementing additional safety measures. When several alternatives are possible the choice may be supported by decision analysis.
Advantages of Risk Management
It is the experience, that implementation of risk management will result in profitable decisions and improved allocation of resources.
Risk management will lead to decisions close to the decision maker’s goals.
Risk management ensures consistence and transparency in the decision process and it provides a basis for risk communication.
Risk Management Tools
The tools and information available to the risk management process include a wide variety of quantitative and semi-quantitative methods.
Results of risk management
• Profitable decisions
• Improved allocation of re-sources
• Implementation of company policy
• Consistent and transparent decisions
• Basis for risk communication
Construction Project Management
Overall planning, co-ordination and control of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a client’s requirements in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project that will be completed on time within authorised cost and to the required quality standards. Project management is the process by which a project is brought to a successful conclusion. Construction project management (CPM) is project management that applies to the construction sector.
Building the Future
Civil engineers have one of the world's most important jobs: they build our quality of life. With creativity and technical skill, civil engineers plan, design, construct and operate the facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges and highway systems to water treatment plants and energyefficient buildings. Civil engineers are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of pollution, traffic congestion, drinking water and energy needs, urban redevelopment and community planning.
There are seven major, interrelated branches of civil engineering:
Structural Engineering
Structural engineers face the challenge of designing structures that support their own weight and the loads they carry, and that resist extreme forces from wind, earthquakes, bombings, temperature and others. Bridges, buildings, amusement park rides and many other kinds of projects are included within this speciality. Structural engineers develop appropriate combinations of steel, concrete, timber, plastic and new exotic materials. They also plan and design, and visit project sites to make sure work is done properly.
Environmental Engineering
The skills of environmental engineers have become increasingly important as we protect our fragile resources. Environmental engineers translate physical, chemical and biological processes into systems to destroy toxic substances, remove pollutants from water, reduce nonhazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate contaminants from the air and develop groundwater supplies. Environmental engineers are called upon to resolve the problems of providing safe drinking water, cleaning up contaminated sites with hazardous materials, disposing of wastewater and managing solid wastes.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is required in all aspects of civil engineering because most projects are supported by the ground. A geotechnical engineer may develop projects below the ground, such as tunnels, foundations and offshore platforms. They analyse the properties of soil and rock that support and affect the behaviour of these structures. They evaluate potential settlements of buildings, the stability of slopes and fills, the seepage of ground water and the effects of earthquakes. They investigate rocks and soils at a project site and determine the best way to support a structure in the ground. They also take part in the design and construction of dams, embankments and retaining walls.
Water Resources Engineering
Water is essential to our lives, and water resources engineers deal with the physical control of water. They work with others to prevent floods, supply water for cities, industry and agriculture, to protect beaches or to manage and redirect rivers. They design, construct and maintain hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams, pipelines, pumping stations, locks, seaport facilities or even waterslides.
Transportation Engineering
The quality of a community is directly related to the quality of its transportation system. Transportation engineers work to move people, goods and materials safely and efficiently. They find ways to meet our ever-increasing travel needs on land, air and sea. They design, construct and maintain all types of transportation facilities, including airports, highways, railroads, mass transit systems and ports. An important part of transportation engineering is upgrading our transportation capability by improving traffic control and mass transit systems, and by introducing highspeed trains, people movers and other intermodal transportation methods.
Construction Engineering
The construction phase of a project represents the first tangible result of a design. Using technical and management skills, construction engineers turn designs into reality on time and within budget. They apply their knowledge of construction methods and equipment, along with the principles of financing, planning and managing, to turn the designs of other engineers into successful facilities.
Urban and Community Planning
Planners are concerned with the full development of a community. They analyse a variety of information to co-ordinate projects, such as projecting street patterns, identifying park and recreation areas, and determining areas for industrial and residential growth. They employ their technical and people skills to co-ordinate with other authorities to integrate freeways, airports and other related facilities.
There are seven major, interrelated branches of civil engineering:
Structural Engineering
Structural engineers face the challenge of designing structures that support their own weight and the loads they carry, and that resist extreme forces from wind, earthquakes, bombings, temperature and others. Bridges, buildings, amusement park rides and many other kinds of projects are included within this speciality. Structural engineers develop appropriate combinations of steel, concrete, timber, plastic and new exotic materials. They also plan and design, and visit project sites to make sure work is done properly.
Environmental Engineering
The skills of environmental engineers have become increasingly important as we protect our fragile resources. Environmental engineers translate physical, chemical and biological processes into systems to destroy toxic substances, remove pollutants from water, reduce nonhazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate contaminants from the air and develop groundwater supplies. Environmental engineers are called upon to resolve the problems of providing safe drinking water, cleaning up contaminated sites with hazardous materials, disposing of wastewater and managing solid wastes.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is required in all aspects of civil engineering because most projects are supported by the ground. A geotechnical engineer may develop projects below the ground, such as tunnels, foundations and offshore platforms. They analyse the properties of soil and rock that support and affect the behaviour of these structures. They evaluate potential settlements of buildings, the stability of slopes and fills, the seepage of ground water and the effects of earthquakes. They investigate rocks and soils at a project site and determine the best way to support a structure in the ground. They also take part in the design and construction of dams, embankments and retaining walls.
Water Resources Engineering
Water is essential to our lives, and water resources engineers deal with the physical control of water. They work with others to prevent floods, supply water for cities, industry and agriculture, to protect beaches or to manage and redirect rivers. They design, construct and maintain hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams, pipelines, pumping stations, locks, seaport facilities or even waterslides.
Transportation Engineering
The quality of a community is directly related to the quality of its transportation system. Transportation engineers work to move people, goods and materials safely and efficiently. They find ways to meet our ever-increasing travel needs on land, air and sea. They design, construct and maintain all types of transportation facilities, including airports, highways, railroads, mass transit systems and ports. An important part of transportation engineering is upgrading our transportation capability by improving traffic control and mass transit systems, and by introducing highspeed trains, people movers and other intermodal transportation methods.
Construction Engineering
The construction phase of a project represents the first tangible result of a design. Using technical and management skills, construction engineers turn designs into reality on time and within budget. They apply their knowledge of construction methods and equipment, along with the principles of financing, planning and managing, to turn the designs of other engineers into successful facilities.
Urban and Community Planning
Planners are concerned with the full development of a community. They analyse a variety of information to co-ordinate projects, such as projecting street patterns, identifying park and recreation areas, and determining areas for industrial and residential growth. They employ their technical and people skills to co-ordinate with other authorities to integrate freeways, airports and other related facilities.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
About IS
INFORMATION SYSTEM
The term information system has the following meanings:
A system, whether automated or manual, that comprises people, machines, and/or methods organized to collect, process, transmit, and disseminate data that represent user information.
RAW DATA + PROCESS = MEANINGFUL INFORMATION. This concept where Raw Data which has hardly any meaning is Processed and the Outcome which results in Meaningful information is simply understood as the Information System. For example adding of two numbers. The two numbers are just Raw Data that mean nothing for a start but the addition process when applied to the two numbers will result in a meaningful answer. Thus Information systems are born where systems are created and put into place to filter raw data to produce sensible information.
INFORMATION SYSTEM IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Objective 1.
“Identify relevant data in civil engineering, track the data, relate the data between processes, validate the data, act & react on the data, and generate user information – in a form of reports and/or queries.”
Objective 2.
“Understand what is an information system and how to build an information system.
Objective 3.
“Correlate between objective 1 & objective 2”.
In Civil Engineering the component of works are mainly:-
a.The design, and
b.The construction.
For efficient analysis & design - specialized software such as Autocad, Matlab, Esteem can are used. For the construction process to be efficiently delivered require by building an Information System.
The Information System that we will be focus on this course will be on the data that are related to contract agreement in construction and methods or items that can efficiently achieve the deliveries.
This information are:
1.Projects core information – contract agreement, progress, payments.
2.Project Teams or Correspondences
3.Payments
4.Documents, Submitters, Drawings
5.Change Orders, Variation Orders
To build the information system, require us to learn database or/and database management system. (In our case, we will be using Ms Access).
The term information system has the following meanings:
A system, whether automated or manual, that comprises people, machines, and/or methods organized to collect, process, transmit, and disseminate data that represent user information.
RAW DATA + PROCESS = MEANINGFUL INFORMATION. This concept where Raw Data which has hardly any meaning is Processed and the Outcome which results in Meaningful information is simply understood as the Information System. For example adding of two numbers. The two numbers are just Raw Data that mean nothing for a start but the addition process when applied to the two numbers will result in a meaningful answer. Thus Information systems are born where systems are created and put into place to filter raw data to produce sensible information.
INFORMATION SYSTEM IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Objective 1.
“Identify relevant data in civil engineering, track the data, relate the data between processes, validate the data, act & react on the data, and generate user information – in a form of reports and/or queries.”
Objective 2.
“Understand what is an information system and how to build an information system.
Objective 3.
“Correlate between objective 1 & objective 2”.
In Civil Engineering the component of works are mainly:-
a.The design, and
b.The construction.
For efficient analysis & design - specialized software such as Autocad, Matlab, Esteem can are used. For the construction process to be efficiently delivered require by building an Information System.
The Information System that we will be focus on this course will be on the data that are related to contract agreement in construction and methods or items that can efficiently achieve the deliveries.
This information are:
1.Projects core information – contract agreement, progress, payments.
2.Project Teams or Correspondences
3.Payments
4.Documents, Submitters, Drawings
5.Change Orders, Variation Orders
To build the information system, require us to learn database or/and database management system. (In our case, we will be using Ms Access).
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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